(Did you see that one coming? lol)

The wounded man embraced her as well not squeezing too tightly as he smiled. Honestly he wasn't too sure how well it had actually went over but he felt like it wasn't a bad thing so he accepted it for the moment. His words were never more true though, realized that he did really love this woman with all his being and that was why he wanted so badly to keep her happy and to protect her. He had no problem throwing himself into harms way if it meant Kalika would alright.

{mmm no not really. haha. i thought it was going to be something bad =X}

The blonde felt tears welling up in her eyes as she laid against him. She found the love of her life, and she knew it. Kalika wanted to be with him forever, grow old with him, and one day die. Softly a few tears ran down her cheeks as she hugged him. The young woman had never felt happier in her life. Her heart continued to beat as fast as a hummingbirds wings. This was going to be one of the happiest days of her life, if not the happiest. She knew her mother would be happy for her, and knew that she would eventually be a grandmother, which was funny to think about. The beautiful Aphrodite a grandmother. She would do anything in the world for Ariston. All because she loved him.

Fighting the Kraken had reminded Aris just how dangerous his job really was and that he now had someone who he truly cared for in his life. It showed him that he needed to cherish every waking moment and live life to the fullest as always. Maybe that was what Ares was trying to tell him, cherish every moment as if it were your last.

{should we skip to when they land? Unless there is something else you would like to do.}

Kalika looked up at Ariston with the tears on her face. Leaning close she softly kissed his lips not wanting to hurt him. "How is your head doing?" She aksed him softly as she stroked his cheek. The blonde hoped he would be better by the time they reached the shore. She would do everything in her power to get him well.

(Yeah you can on the next post...)

The tears in her eyes almost made him cry but he didn't and he found himself caught up in their kiss before he heard her question. Sitting there allowing his body to explain the way it felt he answered, "It's not too bad, just a little throbbing here and there..." He smiled gently at his love and wiped a few tears from her face, he understood they were tears of joy but it was hard to watch her cry even if she looked beautiful doing it.

Kalika woke early the one morning feeling quite panicked. She couldn't remember what she had been dreaming, but it had obviously been a nightmare. She realized that today was the day they would finally reach the port. Perhaps her dream was not in panic, but in lust. Dressing herself she slipped from the room. The blonde decided she needed from fresh air and to get outside. Walking out to the bow of the ship she sat down and watched as the sun peeked above the waters edge. She shivered thinking that they would finally reach the shore today. Kalika remembered what Ariston had said what they first left. Her curiosity would finally be relieved today.

The throbbing had stopped finally yesterday and he was able to do his normal functions as he usually did. He had actually spent a great part of the evening practicing with his blades and then his spear to be sure that everything was alright. Kalika had stayed by his side through it all so he was more than happy about that. The past few days went by like a blur but that could have also been because of the concussion symptoms. He had woken up well before dawn and had decided to come to the top of the captians deck to sit and think with the ocean breeze blowing gently. Aris saw Kalika as she came and sat on the bow of the ship and decided he would go down there and sit with her. She looked like she had something on her mind but he wouldn't pry because he had a promise to fulfill today although he wasn't sure if that's what it was. As he walked up beside her he looked out at the ocean and could see the island not too far off and he smiled. Leaning up against a rail he didn't say a word he just watched.

Surprised that someone else was up this early she looked up to see Aris leaning on the rail. She stayed just as quiet as she watched the sun rise up from the ocean. Kalika swallowed hard when she saw the ocean so close. Her heart was already thrumming in her chest realizing how close they were. It was strange to think she had been so thrilled for this day, and now it was here she was more nervous than ever. Once the sun was about the horizon she turned to Ariston with a smile. "Good morning, love." She said softly her voice light and soft. Her blonde hair flowed softly behind her as the boat moved towards the island. A soft spray caused light goosebumps to rise on her skin as the water hit her body. Her legs swung back and forth as they hung over the edge of the of the boat.

"Good morning," Aris replied as he returned her bright smile. The sunrise was especially breathtaking this morning, maybe because of what was going to happen once they got settled into the place. His hair flowed in the wind as well as he stood out there. Finally deciding to spark a bit of conversation he said, "Well today is the day we touch down after a little over a week. Did you enjoy the trip Kal?"

Kalika shook her head at the bright sunrise and figured her mother had been speaking with Helios. Her mother had something to do with the beautiful sunrise she knew it. Looking to Ariston she grinned. "It was interesting and fun. Honestly, I like taking care of you. I felt very... motherly... But I think I like boats." She giggled softly. Then standing up beside him she wrapped her arms around him. "What about you, dear?" Looking back over across the water the island was so close... she could see minor details of the land scape. Her heart continued to thrum frantically as she looked back up at Aris.

He laughed lightly with her then he thought about her question, "I think... I think that if it had not been for this trip I wouldn't have realized what my father wanted me to know. It was a good life lesson and I'll take it to heart. And like you said, it was fun... I like being taken care of, it's a different change of pace for me." The week had been long but certainly worth it for all he got out of it.

Kalika shivered against him once she saw the crew getting ready to dock the boat. Then she looked up at him and kissed his shoulder. "Well I'll always be around to take care of you." She giggled softly looking into his eyes. "Should we go below while they dock or does it matter?.. I'm still not sure how this works." The blonde blushed as she looked to her feet.

"It doesn't matter but we should probably go below just to get out of the way," he answered. It was about to get busy around here so he grabbed Kalika's hand and lead her below deck to her room. "Open the door please," he requested. So it may have been a bit odd that they were going to her room instead of his but he had seen enough of his room for the duration of the trip and decided they would spend the last moments in her room.

She nodded and followed him down the stairs. Kalika was surprised they were going into her room, but did as they were told and went into her room. Unlocking the door and pushing it open she gestured for him to go ahead in. "As you wish, sir." She smiled softly.

{tiny post}

(Kk)

He again grabbed her hand and led her into the room then he sat her down on her bed and walked over to her dresser and opened the top drawer and then a secret compartment in the drawer. He pulled out a tiny package and opened it revealing a beautiful gold necklace with a diamond encrusted pendant. Walking over to Kal he held his hand out for her to take it and give it a look then he asked, "So what do you think?"

Kalika was confused when she saw him reach into her one draw. Her eyes grew wide as he pulled out the beautiful necklace. She softly touched the necklace as it glimmered in his hands. "It's, it's beautiful Ariston. C-can you help me put it on?" This man was a man of many surprises... and she really liked it. Smiling she looked up at him feeling tears brimming in her eyes again. Shaking her head she kept the tears back as she smiled at him.

(This is the kind of stuff I do for real lol)

Aris smiled and gave her a soft peck on the lips then nodded and took the necklace. He sat on the bed behind her and waited until she removed her hair out of the way then he reached around her and undid the clip of the necklace and pulled it around her neck. Fastening the clip once it was in place he walked back around and took a look from the front, "You make it look beautiful Kal," he complimented with a soft grin.

Kalika blushed as she felt him fastening the necklace. An even deeper pink blush colored her cheeks as he said she looked beautiful. Standing up gently she walked over to the vanity in the room and gasped as she saw the beautiful necklace around her neck. "Ariston.. I love it." She said softly as she stared at herself in the mirror. A couple of the tears trickled down her face, but she held the rest back. No one had ever made her this happy in her whole life. Walking back over to him she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. She was trying to express her gratitude for the necklace.

Aris watched as she walked over to the vanity in the room to take a look at the necklace with a soft smile on his face. He had hoped that she would like it, after all it was hard to get the set up to go this well anyway when you spend all of your time with someone, but she didn't have to know how he got it in there. Her kiss to him was obviously a thank you kiss and he accepted it whole heartedly and afterwards wiped the tears from her face. He then made the statement, "I see that you like it."

Kalika smiled up at him and nodded. Her arms stayed around his neck as she looked into his eyes. "You... have made me so happy this trip. I swear my heart will burst. Ariston... you make me the happiest woman on earth... I just don't know how to make it up to you." She softly kissed his neck with a soft blush on her cheeks. There was no way she could think of to ever make it up to Ariston.

Aris smiled to her and then replied, "I didn't do this because I want you to repay me later Kal, I just want you here at my side like you have been. Think of this as a thank you for everything that you've done for me and will do in the future, alright?" He was completely sincere about his words as he relayed his feelings to her. He wanted to make her happy just as she wanted to do for him, it was nothing that required to to repay him in any way. Besides he was always looking ahead so he would have things planned for her later but that would be revealed when the time was right...

The blonde looked up into his eyes and smiled. She nuzzled softly into his chest and nodded in agreement. "Okay, I'll remember that." She grinned. Rocking slightly she could tell they had finally docked... and her heart began to thrum like crazy. Kalika shivered in his arms realizing that her waiting had finally paid off and today was the day she had been waiting for.

Looking down at her he smiled and said, "Good." He hugged her a little tighter as she nuzzled up to him then he he felt a shiver, "Are you cold Kal?" he asked. He was curious as to why she would shiver but she didn't have to answer if she didn't want to, since he figured it could simply be excitement. Figuring it was time for them to leave he took her hand into his and said, "Let's go," then lead her out of the ship to the port of Same. The city was a beautiful beach town as it had plenty of tourist attractions and taverns. Of course it still had all the necessities of a normal city since people did actually live here but many people were visitors to this exotic town since it had one of the most beautiful beaches.

When he asked if she was cold she shook her head. She wasn't sure how to explain how she was feeling, but it was good. There were butterflies in her stomach as he led her out of the ship. At first Kalika shielded her eyes with her hand from the burning sun then once her eyes adjusted she gasped at the beauty."Aris, it is so pretty here." She said quietly a little stunned at how beautiful it was there. Having never left the main land she was quite surprised. She leaned her head softly against his arm as she took in the beautiful island. The sand was whiter than any she'd ever seen and the water such a pure blue. It was so enchanting.

Aris just smiled since he was glad she liked it, most people who visited here thought it was one of the most beautiful places in all of Greece although not many people in the east and north have ever heard of it. The ocean water sparkled here as if it were full of jewels and was as pure looking that many thought Poseidon himself blessed this area hence the grand temple in his honor just off the coast of the town. Looking around the young warrior asked, "So shall we go get our room or rooms first?"